Charging a motorbike battery is indeed a complex electrical system and that’s why the question arises, what keeps the battery charged on a motorcycle battery?
A stator or a motorbike alternator is the device that is fitted in the motorbike engine which is responsible for keeping the motorbike charged. As you ride the motorbike, the stator charges the motorbike battery on the principle of basic electromagnetism.
Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it.
While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about the system that keeps the motorbike battery charging.
Table of Contents
What Keeps the Battery Charged on a Motorcycle?
The motorbike battery is a crucial motorbike part responsible for igniting the motorbike engine and starting the motorbike’s electrical devices. Now the question arises, what keeps the battery charged on a motorcycle?
A stator or a motorbike alternator is a device that is fitted to the motorbike engine and is responsible for keeping the motorbike charged. As you ride the motorbike, the stator charges the motorbike battery on the principle of basic electromagnetism.
While riding the motorbike, the alternator ensures that your motorbike battery won’t drain automatically.
How Does a Motorcycle Battery Charge?
As mentioned above, the motorcycle battery charges while riding, but it’s not a simple process. Worry not. Here I’m going to explain the whole process more thoroughly.
Generally, motorbikes come with a stator fitted in the motorcycle engine because of less space.
The stator generates the AC by converting the mechanical energy to magnetic energy, which further converts it into electrical energy. There are magnets attached to the stator, which play an essential role in producing electrical power.
When you ride your motorcycle, the spin wheel, which also contains magnets, rotates around the stator due to mechanical energy converted into magnetic energy.
The magnetic energy is further converted into electrical energy stored in the motorcycle battery in the DC form.
The mechanical energy produced when you ride your motorcycle → is magnetic energy produced by the influence of mechanical energy → electrical energy produced.
It is how your motorcycle battery charges when you ride your motorcycle.
What’s the Role of Rectifiers?
The motorcycle rectifier or regulator is the most crucial part which is needed to charge the battery.
The process mentioned above produces AC electrical current, but now the battery can only store DC electrical current. So to convert the AC electrical current to DC electrical energy, we need a rectifier device.
The manufacturer usually sets the rectifier as a standalone part (separate from the stator). But now, to save space and provide as much cooling, the manufacturers fit rectifiers near the alternator.
What’s the Difference Between Alternator And Stator?
If you generally drive a car, then you must know about the part called an alternator.
The alternator and stator do the same thing, but the only difference is that the alternator in the car is a much more complex system than a stator. To save space in the motorcycle, the manufacturers made the stator so that it doesn’t take up much space.
Like the motorcycle, the alternator is also easily accessible so that anyone can change the car alternator if something goes wrong!
What’s the Role of Battery?
You must be wondering what the battery’s role is when the stator is the main component that generates charges. Then why do you need a battery for your motorcycle?
Try to understand one thing: your motorcycle stator only works when your motorcycle is in motion. But to bring the motorcycle in motion, you need a battery.
Battery stores charge, which you need to ignite the motorcycle, and without battery, your motorbike wouldn’t generate enough power to ignite the engine.
So to run your motorcycle effectively, you need a good battery as well as a good stator.
Is Stator Can Malfunction?
The stator is an integral part of your motorcycle so it can malfunction anytime. Generally, the stator that comes with your motorbike has less life.
And that’s why I recommend buying a third-party alternator which isn’t cheap and must come with a significant warranty period.
Some Signs of Stator Malfunctioning?
Generally, the stator doesn’t cause any signs if it’s malfunctioned but causes some silent symptoms through which you can predict whether the stator has malfunctioned or not.
| Signs of Stator Malfunctioning: |
| Sluggish Light. |
| High RPM problems. |
| Whining sound. |
Sluggish Light:
Sluggish light is one of the most prominent signs that can be caused when your stator malfunctions. Your motorbike battery starts draining if you ride your motorcycle regularly; even sometimes, you’re going to find difficulty in starting the motorbike.
You can’t rely only on this sign as it is also caused when your battery malfunctions. It would be best to take your motorbike to a technician if you find this sign.
High RPM Problem:
Stator not only causes your battery to discharge but also interfaces with the common working mechanism of your motorbike.
There’s a need for more energy at high RPM, which a malfunctioning stator can’t produce, so you’re likely to face some challenges when taking your motorbike at high RPM.
Whining Sound:
The third silent sign of a malfunctioned stator is the whining sound you keep hearing while starting your motorcycle. You may especially hear this sound if you aren’t turning your throttle.
How Long Would it Take to Charge the Battery?
Generally, the motorcycle battery charges best at 13.5-14.5 V, which means you need to ride your motorcycle for at least 3 hours to charge the battery completely.
As mentioned above, the stator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. And in this sense, the charging capacity will increase as you increase the motorbike’s speed.
You can further decrease the charging time by switching off the additional accessories you installed on your motorbike. Additionally, the smaller the battery size, the faster it would charge.
Can You Ride a Motorbike Without a Stator?
Yes, you can ride your motorbike without a stator. But the only thing you need is extra batteries which you need to replace after some time in your riding journey.
And if your motorbikes have some extra accessories installed, it would be better for you to carry more than ten motorbike batteries.
Yes, this is how your life would happen if you ride your motorbike without an alternator. And to tackle these challenges, you must have to ride a motorbike with an installed stator.
How to Test if Your Stator Malfunctions?
You can’t rely on the signs mentioned above to reach any conclusion, and you need solid proof before reaching any conclusion.
To check if the stator has malfunctioned or not, I recommend removing bodywork and seeing if there are any burn signs. Check if there’s any melted wired or copper part. You can take your motorbike to a technician if you find some burn signs.
You can also check the stator status by using a multimeter. Connect the multimeter one end to the one end of the stator and start the motorcycle. Reset the multimeter value and carefully see the multimeter reading.
Check whether the stator value is the same or not when connecting to both terminals; if it’s not the same, then it’s likely that your stator has malfunctioned.
Also, read my previous post where I discussed why you should remove the motorbike battery before storing it, CLICK HERE to read.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a motorcycle battery charge?
The stator generates the AC by converting the mechanical energy to magnetic energy, which further converts it into electrical energy. There are magnets attached to the stator, which play an essential role in producing electrical power.
What’s the role of rectifiers?
The stator produces AC electrical current, but now the battery can only store DC electrical current. So to convert the AC electrical current to DC electrical energy, we need a rectifier device.
What’s the difference between an alternator and a stator?
The alternator and stator do the same thing, but the only difference is that the alternator in the car is a much more complex system than a stator. To save space in the motorcycle, the manufacturers made the stator so that it doesn’t take up much space.
What’s the role of battery?
Your motorcycle stator only works when your motorcycle is in motion. But to bring the motorcycle in motion, you need a battery.
How sluggish light can be the sign behind a faulty stator?
Sluggish light is one of the most prominent signs that can be caused when your stator malfunctions. Your motorbike battery starts draining if you ride your motorcycle regularly; even sometimes, you’re going to find difficulty in starting the motorbike.
Final Verdict:
What keeps the battery charged on a motorcycle? A stator or a motorbike alternator is a device that is fitted to the motorbike engine and is responsible for keeping the motorbike charged. As you ride the motorbike, the stator charges the motorbike battery on the principle of basic electromagnetism.
I’ve also mentioned some signs which you need to consider if you’ve any doubt regarding the faultiness of the motorbike stator.
John, this side! My passion for motorbikes started when I was 12. I experienced many accidents and even lost some friends too. And it inspired me to create this website so that no parents in this world would lose their child while enjoying riding.
